Welcome to our blog! Our aim is to keep you informed and encouraged about building the manufacturing workforce along in the greater Chicago area.
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2026 Outstanding Manufacturing Students
GCAMP honors some of Chicago's best and brightest manufacturing students. Meet the 2026 winner and finalists for our annual Outstanding Manufacturing Student award.
It’s Time to Get Involved with the Next Generation
The next generation of Illinois manufacturers is in need of connection—someone from industry to show them what’s possible. If manufacturers step forward to provide that connection, the future of manufacturing in Illinois will not just be strong—it will be transformative.
Launching a High School Internship Program
At the Workforce Strategies Forum on December 5th, 2024, GCAMP and VALEES dispelled common myths surrounding the hiring of 16- and 17-year-olds to help manufacturers launch their high school internship programs.
The Importance of Conducting Tours
Find out how tours benefit students and manufacturers!
Are You Tour Ready? Part 2
Compiling our manufacturer friends’ thoughts, we’ve compiled another checklist for you to use as guidance as you strive to perfect your tour.
Solve Your Workforce Challenges by Thinking Outside-of-the-Box
New solutions and innovative tactics to tackling your workforce challenges.
Are you Intern Ready?
A Summary of VALEES EFE Director Cassie Blickem’s Workforce Strategies Forum Presentation
Are You Tour Ready?
It’s Manufacturing Month! Back in the day, it was called “Manufacturing Day.” But thank goodness someone had the good sense to capture the entire month.
Manufacturing Month—It's Right Around the Corner
October has been declared in the State of Illinois as Manufacturing Month, with the first Friday in October (October 7th this year), as Manufacturing Day.